Magnetic properties of structurally characterized binuclear lanthanide complexes bridged by 2,2′-bipyrimidine

A family of five homobimetallic complexes with magnetically-active trivalent lanthanides of the second half of the series with general formula [{Ln(tta)₃}₂(μ-bpm)] (Ln = Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, tta = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetonato, bpm = 2,2′-bipyrimidine) has been structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction and the magnetic properties of these complexes are reported. The two lanthanide ions are coordinated to the bridging bpm ligand which connects the two metallic centers. The magnetic behavior of these complexes has been investigated. It revealed that a weak antiferromagnetic coupling is observed with the Tb^III, Dy ^III, Ho^III, and Er^III ions while a very weak ferromagnetic exchange between the two Gd^III ions was observed.